Senior has helped Cardinals improve

By Chris Miller-Prep Sports Writer

Published: Friday, January 18, 2013 at 11:00 AM.

“He makes sure everybody gets the ball and he takes the shot at the right time,” Jordan said.

The latter was evident Jan. 4 when Vialva made a 3-pointer as time expired to give Jacksonville a 53-50 victory over West Carteret. It was the first time he ever made a game-winning shot at the buzzer.

“It felt really good,” Vialva said. “I’m not going to say the play went perfect. It (the ball) just happened to come in my hands and I just shot it. I had confidence and they threw it to me for a reason while the clock was winding down.”

Yet that wasn’t Vialva’s only contribution in a game this season. He has actually provided the Cardinals with plenty of solid play either at point guard or at shooting guard.

Vialva leads Jacksonville’s balanced scoring attack with 11 points per game to go along with 2.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals. He also has 22 3-pointers, including five in a 73-71 win over Washington on Dec. 14.

And while Vialva’s stats don’t rank as high as other players from other teams, his overall play has proven to be instrumental for the Cardinals.

“He’s dangerous when he has the ball, and he’s dangerous when takes that shot,” Jordan said. “Nine out of 10 times when he has a perfect shot and he’s open, he will hit it, even under pressure. He’s also dangerous on defense. Nigel has a second sense to play between the ball and the man.”

While he knows how many points he scores, assists he dishes out and steals he comes up with are important, Vialva also realizes he must provide the Cardinals more than just statistics if they are to continue improving as a team.

It appears as if Vialva has done something right as a team captain, given Jacksonville has already surpassed last year’s win total. The Cardinals went 5-18 last season and missed out on the NCHSAA playoffs.

“There’s been many practices this season when I’m not bossing them, but I’m like, ‘Come on, we got to start playing together,’ and we go with that,” Vialva said. “I speak out regardless of if we are losing or winning. I try to be positive.”

Vialva said he hasn’t always been a leader for the Cardinals but that he knew he had to be one this season as a senior. At the same time, Jordan said those command qualities Vialva is putting to use this year are part of his general personality.

“That’s just his all-around personality. Even off the court I see him act that way,” Jordan said. “His little brother comes to a lot of practices and he will (watch over him).”

All the while making sure the Cardinals do the right things at practice.

“If they miss a layup, they have to do push-ups, and Nigel reminds them they need to do them,” Jordan said. “He leads by example. Anytime he misses a layup, he gets down and does push-ups. Nigel is always telling them to pump it up at practice. Those are his favorite words.”

Vialva will often serve as a coach on the floor during practice.

“If people’s shot is off, he will show them how to get their wrist right,” Jordan said. “Also at practice, I don’t have to tell him what defense we need to run because he knows it.”

Come game time, Vialva is a player who helps make things run smoothly.

“He makes sure everybody gets the ball and he takes the shot at the right time,” Jordan said.

The latter was evident Jan. 4 when Vialva made a 3-pointer as time expired to give Jacksonville a 53-50 victory over West Carteret. It was the first time he ever made a game-winning shot at the buzzer.

“It felt really good,” Vialva said. “I’m not going to say the play went perfect. It (the ball) just happened to come in my hands and I just shot it. I had confidence and they threw it to me for a reason while the clock was winding down.”

Yet that wasn’t Vialva’s only contribution in a game this season. He has actually provided the Cardinals with plenty of solid play either at point guard or at shooting guard.

Vialva leads Jacksonville’s balanced scoring attack with 11 points per game to go along with 2.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals. He also has 22 3-pointers, including five in a 73-71 win over Washington on Dec. 14.

And while Vialva’s stats don’t rank as high as other players from other teams, his overall play has proven to be instrumental for the Cardinals.

“He’s dangerous when he has the ball, and he’s dangerous when takes that shot,” Jordan said. “Nine out of 10 times when he has a perfect shot and he’s open, he will hit it, even under pressure. He’s also dangerous on defense. Nigel has a second sense to play between the ball and the man.”

Scoring-wise, Vialva’s best game came in the victory over Washington when he had 23 points. He also scored 19 points in a 76-68 win over White Oak on Dec. 27 in the Onslow County Classic tournament and scored 18 in a 61-58 victory over 4-A Hoggard on Dec. 4.

He also recorded 9 assists in a 61-55 loss to state power and conference foe South Central on Dec. 18. His best defensive game came Dec. 11 when he came away with 8 steals in a 73-65 victory over Richlands.

Still, Vialva doesn’t worry much about his stats. He’s too concerned about using his leadership to help Jacksonville win.

“My best part I bring to this team is probably the leadership,” Vialva said. “I just want to win.”

That includes tonight when the Cardinals welcome White Oak to The Bird Cage for a conference game. Jacksonville has a 19-game winning streak over the Vikings, dating back to the 2006 regular-season finale.

“For us, it means a lot and it’s very important,” Vialva said of the streak over White Oak. “I feel like I have to set the tone early to let people be aware of what I’m doing and how I’m trying to score or get everyone involved.”